Genetic variants associated with altered plasma levels of C-reactive protein are not associated with late-life cognitive ability in four Scottish samples

Marioni, R.E. et al. (2010) Genetic variants associated with altered plasma levels of C-reactive protein are not associated with late-life cognitive ability in four Scottish samples. Behavior Genetics, 40(1), pp. 3-11. (doi: 10.1007/s10519-009-9302-z)

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Abstract

It is unknown whether the relationship between raised inflammatory biomarker levels and late-life cognitive ability is causal. We explored this issue by testing the association between genetic regulators of plasma C-reactive protein (CRP) and cognition. Data were analysed from four cohorts based in central Scotland (Total N = 4,782). Associations were tested between variants in the CRP gene and both plasma CRP levels and a battery of neuropsychological tests, including a vocabulary-based estimate of peak prior cognitive ability and a general (summary) cognitive factor score, or 'g'. CRP levels were associated with a number of variants in the CRP gene (SNPs), including rs1205, rs1130864, rs1800947, and rs1417938 (P range 4.2e-06 to 0.041). Higher CRP levels were also associated with vocabulary-adjusted cognitive ability, used here to estimate lifetime cognitive change (P range 1.7e-04 to 0.038). After correction for multiple testing and adjustment for age and sex, no statistically significant associations were found between the SNPs and cognition. CRP is unlikely to be a causal determinant of late-life cognitive ability.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Rumley, Dr Ann and Lowe, Professor Gordon
Authors: Marioni, R.E., Deary, I.J., Murray, G.D., Lowe, G.D., Rafnsson, S.B., Strachan, M.W.J., Luciano, M., Houlihan, L.M., Gow, A.J., Harris, S.E., Stewart, M.C., Rumley, A., Fowkes, F.G.R., and Price, J.F.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences
Journal Name:Behavior Genetics
ISSN:0001-8244

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